The General Amherst Bulldogs boys soccer team have been eliminated from the WECSSAA “AA” soccer playoffs by the Kennedy Clippers in a game that left a bad taste in the Bulldogs’ mouths.

By the time last Thursday afternoon’s game at the Libro Centre ended, both goalies had been ejected, parents had come onto the field and others ejected, and a dispute over how much time was thought to be left on the clock when the referee blew the final whistle.

General Amherst’s Aaron Brush kicks the ball up the field during last Thursday against Kennedy. Amherst lost 2-1 in the WECSSAA “AA” playoff game.

General Amherst coach Gavin Blunt said he didn’t want blame the officiating for the loss but wanted to focus on his own team’s effort.

“I thought we played a hard fought game and we ended up with some tough calls against us,” said Blunt, after the 2-1 loss.

Blunt said there were points where he felt the Bulldogs outplayed Kennedy but couldn’t convert their chances.

“It was a very tough game to coach. It was a tough battle,” said Blunt. “The boys played well.”

Kieron Sweet scored the lone goal for the Bulldogs.

Assistant coach Spencer Petrozzi also said he didn’t want to concentrate on the officiating, and agreed that the Bulldogs played well despite the final score.

“The boys played hard. They battled right to the end,” said Petrozzi. “We’re very proud of the boys. They battled.”

General Amherst’s Brock Beaudoin (left) wins a race to the ball but the Bulldogs lost the game 2-1 to Kennedy.

All of the players are eligible to return next season and they hope the 2018 season will be better. Blunt said the 2017 season was still a good one.

“It was a great season,” he added. “It was an unfortunate way to end an undefeated season in a game like this. It was chaotic and unorganized. There were scrums at times.”

Blunt noted “we played a really good team” and Petrozzi also noted the Bulldogs had their chances.

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The General Amherst Bulldogs finished the regular season on the road over the past week.

The first game was Wednesday afternoon at the University of Windsor’s Alumni Field against the Assumption Purple Raiders. Amherst started slow and improved as the game went on but had to settle for a 0-0 tie.

Both teams had to contend with poor weather at points, with pouring rain and a lightning delay arising at different moments in the game.

Head coach Gavin Blunt pointed out that the scoreless tie was “not the ideal result” and pointed out they didn’t have a good first half.

“We were looking to win,” said Blunt. “We played down to their level in the first half. In the second half, the boys played well. The boys started running.”

“We got caught watching the ball early on,” added assistant coach

Blunt said the Bulldogs had their chances in the second half.

General Amherst’s Michael Nasello (right, yellow jersey) sprints towards a loose ball during second half action against Assumpton April 19.

“We definitely outshot them and out-chanced them,” he said. “We didn’t get the bounces.”

The game was called with about three minutes to play. The referee blew play dead for the second time due to lightning and after a huddle with coaches from both teams, the game ended though some on the Bulldogs wanted to have another 30-minute delay and finish the game.

“In my mind, I still think we’re the best team in the tier,” Blunt said after Wednesday’s game.

The Bulldogs concluded the regular season Monday afternoon with a 6-1 win at Belle River. The win meant General Amherst finished the 2017 WECESSAA Tier 2 regular season with a 5-0-1 record.